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Sunday, March 23, 2014

As our signature tag line -- Love Heals -- states: the mission of Thistle Farms is to promote healing. For the women who come into the program, and for all who come into the community circle. Thistle Farms Healing Oils were created to aid in the process and are derived from plant essences steeped in a long history of healing. A blend of essential oils, when combined with a carrier oil and loving intention, can help in many life situations.

In our modern day, the use of essential oils is generally relegated to the realm of ministry. Baptism at the beginning of life and Extreme Unction at the end of life are rituals performed by clergy using essential oils. We’ve lost the art of performing sacred ritual for ourselves in our daily lives. Over the next few weeks, we'll be highlighting stories of people who have used the healing oils to make meaning out of ordinary life events. Anyone, anytime, and with loving intention can perform a simple ritual using an essential oil to mark a major transition, to honor a milestone, or to ease a burden.

The first story comes from Jennifer, a 2012 graduate of the Magdalene program. Jennifer came to Thistle Farms skeptical of what essential oils could really do for her healing. “I have always been searching for things outside of myself to make my insides feel better,” Jennifer said when remembering how the healing oils changed her life. Her days at Thistle Farms revolved around healing oils from the very start. Placed in manufacturing, Jennifer handled the oils on a daily basis. The aroma of the healing oils had an impact that she never expected. When working with the oils Jennifer’s moods would shift depending on what oil was being used, “…my moods would alternate between calm and serene to happy and joyous.”

It was not until a family donated a still to Thistle Farms, however, that Jennifer began to learn about the healing properties of essential oils. “After being the one called on to run the still I thought it would be nice to research the oils we were distilling. I learned that when we rub essential oils into our skin they absorb within twenty minutes and start to act like other nutrients that would normally be absorbed though food and other sources.” After researching the oils and running the still to make the oils, Jennifer started to use them herself. “I believe in these oils, and I know for a fact that they really do work. My personal favorite is Ahimsa that contains cinnamon and clove. This oil is really good for circulation and always sooths my knees and feet after a long day.” One of Jennifer’s other favorite oils is the geranium oil, which soothes her migraines.

Jennifer’s story does not stop with the affect that the healing oils had on her body and spirit. Earlier this year she met Nicholas Hitimana who started Ikirezi, a farming cooperative that works with survivors of the Rwandan Genocide. The group produces the organic Geranium oil that Thistle Farms uses. Upon meeting Nicholas at the Thistle Farms National Conference Jennifer’s life was changed. While speaking at the conference Nicholas invited Jennifer up on stage and apologized to her on behalf of all men. “I couldn’t believe what happened,” Jennifer said, “He said he was sorry for the harsh and brutal ways that men have been treating me all my life. He said he was sorry that I was treated like an object with no dignity…up until that moment I had not realized that I was looking for or even needed an apology. At that moment something inside of me lifted. It was as if a heavy weight that had been holding me down was suddenly pulled away.” Jennifer discovered that, “healing comes from within and from the most unusual and unexpected places. Who knew that these strangers and essential oils would be the most important piece of my healing.”

Sunday, March 16, 2014

St Patrick’s Day has become a confusing holiday for me; a mysteriously marbled mixture of Scottish and Irish folklore and traditions. I come from a long line of both Scottish and Irish clans. As a child, I attended the Scottish Highlands Games and Festivals. My little brother and I delighted in all things Celtic. (As in “Braveheart! FREEDOM!!”) We also knew the story of how St. Patrick used the Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Pagan Irish and his supposed banishment of the snakes. We wore green on March 17th and looked for pots of gold, leprechauns and fairies. We figured if the Blarney stone was worth kissing, it must be pretty darn lucky. My mother, being gifted in the ancient art of storytelling, stitched trinkets of both Irish and Scottish lore into the patchwork quilt of stories from our Appalachian heritage. Life was so simple.

And then it all changed. I became a Thistle Farmer, pretty much overnight. My path in life took a new direction; all things childish were set aside. After many years of letting thorns and weeds choke my very life, I experienced the healing power of the thistle. Now, those beautiful, purple blossoms that stand tall enough to be seen from a car window, are much more fascinating to look for than “lucky” 4-leaf clovers or those pots of gold that I never found. I now spend my time looking for the thistles among the shamrocks.

The Irish celebrate “Luck o’ the Irish” on March 17th. I was surprised to learn that the very first St. Patrick's Day celebration in America was held at a place called the “Thistle Tavern.” Even though there isn’t a national holiday for the “lucky thistle”, the Scottish consider the thistle as bearing good fortune much as the Irish do the shamrock.

Becoming a Thistle Farmer has brought me far more than shamrocks. More precious than gold is the strength and love of our volunteers, watching as our events calendar fills, being present on a resident’s first day of work… and her second… and her third. More precious than gold is seeing the courage and resilience of the women as they strive to regain custody of their children, hearing the gratitude they share in morning meditation, and building reciprocal relationships with compassionate, community-driven organizations. Those are all rainbows in my book, and way better than that tarnished pot of gold that will never appear.

It is not a coincidence that I ended up at Thistle Farms. God has strategically placed me here. Not for my purposes, but for His. Whether it be from thistles or shamrocks, I figure either way, I have all the luck and love in the world. After several false starts, graduating Magdalene and working at Thistle Farms, I consider myself blessed beyond measure. On this day of “Wearing of the Green," honoring St. Patrick, and unconsciously looking for the end of rainbows, I am also celebrating the thistle. I thank God for the salvation it brought to my distant kinsmen and now for the way it is healing my own life today, hundreds of years later.

Unlike those illusive pots of gold at the ending of rainbows, I have found actual rainbows sweeping upward and outward, like the stroke of a multi-hued paint brush, from the end of the stalwart royal purple thistles.

Rainbows begin and end in my office every day: stitching the story quilt of Thistle Farms.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

As a part of a community that constantly shows their love, hope, support and compassion on a daily basis, I am used to hearing of amazing acts of kindness and unbelievable stories of redemption. It is not unusual for people to call, email, or show up at my job to volunteer their time, donate something, share their story or simply be a part of our morning meditation. The volunteers and donors, since the beginnings of Magdalene, have shared the same fire and dedication as the women of the program; turning a small program into what is now a national movement. I have always been so incredibly grateful to those that were involved in creating, implementing, sustaining, and sharing a program that saved my life.

I am so passionate about what we are doing, about what I am a part of, that it is very hard for me not to cry, a lot, all the time. As the Events Coordinator, I handle numerous emails and field phone calls 24/7. And typically have the tell-tale signs of being a "crier" with my mascara starting to run down my face by the end of the phone call. Normally, the first 10 minutes of the call (or first few paragraphs of an email) consist of people explaining how much they love us, how being involved with Thistle Farms has "changed their life," why they want to donate money or asking how they can help. But wait a minute -- aren't I the one who is supposed to be saying "Thank You?" I'm confused, because, it was through their support, their donations, their volunteer time, their love that this program has flourished. However, it often becomes a "Battle of Gratitude," sounding something like: "Thank You.""No, Thank You." "No, no, Thank YOU." You get the idea....

So I don't know why I was surprised when I found myself in the same conversation, repeating how thankful we were, with those pesky tears threatening to ruin my perfectly applied makeup for the evening, as I was asked to help host an event. (But I was prepared! I now use WATERPROOF mascara on a daily basis and could probably write it off on my taxes as a necessary tool as an Event Coordinator for a non-profit.). I was having a "gratitude battle" with some chicks I LOVE: Carly & Amanda of Aberdeen Green.

These amazingly talented, incredibly sweet and highly motivated women took it upon themselves to plan, promote, organize a benefit for Magdalene & Thistle Farms -- Music City: Women 4 Women-- a musical benefit to raise money for us! They got the venue, food, sound and artists donated or paid for -- as a means of holding a fundraiser for us.

The whole night was amazing. Jennifer, Rita, Penny, Dorris and I attended, and were completely blown away by the love and compassion displayed by everyone involved. The highlight of the night for me was being witness to another graduate, Dorris Walker, performing her original song "Magdalene", for the first time. Singing a song that she wrote, on a Nashville stage, accompanied by an incredibly talented artist, for the first time, was a huge event that I know she will never forget. And Dorris rocked it!

The talent in that room last week rivaled that of any 10 Nashville venues that night! Every single person and group that played, was simply amazing. At the end of the evening, nearly $2,000 was raised! That money goes directly into the program to help get some of the 100+ women on our waiting list off the street. Women who have been victims of sex-trafficking, domestic violence, prostitution, sexual abuse and drug addiction come to Magdalene seeking a solution to a life that has gotten stuck in a cycle of misery, pain and hopelessness. Through the belief that love is the most powerful force for change in the world, our community is changing that cycle. By providing a 2 year, residential program, at no cost to the women, Magdalene provides a place for healing, compassion, and an unconditional love that, seven years later, overwhelms me every day.

As a graduate, I feel I want to be more focused on loving, instead of being loved. But no matter how much I love, how grateful I am, how passionate I am or how excited I get, I always run across volunteers and supporters that are even more motivated and dedicated that I am.

It is only through the dedicated supporters and volunteers that this program is even possible. If you want to find out more about getting involved with Thistle Farms & Magdalene, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and visit us on Wednesday mornings at 51st & Charlotte in Nashville.

As I travel on this amazing journey that God has strategically sent me on, I cannot help but smile when I think of how He places people in my life. Carly & Amanda sing about a valley: The Shenandoah Valley. I grew up just a stone's throw away, in another valley: The New River Valley. Working with these two reminds me of home, of the mountains and the cool air. I can see the Blue Ridge Mountains & the lake I live on when they sing. And that's about the best thing in the world. I've tried my whole life to run from those mountains and that lake, mostly because of the things that happened during my drug use and addiction. Thank you, Amanda & Carly, for giving me back a beautiful picture of my home.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

I was honored when I was asked to join Becca and Tim on an out-of-town trip to Texas. I later found out that one of my mentors was going along also. From the time I realized that I was really going with these amazing people, I knew that God was showing up and showing out. The whole opportunity was a blessing. I also pride myself on having the awareness that I wasn’t operating on my self-will, and knew this was an opportunity only God could arrange.

I took forever to prepare for the trip. Making sure nothing was left behind… I even posted a picture on Facebook because I was so proud! The trip to San Antonio was great. It was a peaceful time with no phone interruptions; a time for me to really connect with God and get balanced.

When we were leaving the car rental place, Siri on Becca’s phone was calling the Alamo the AH-LAH-MO. We were cracking up when Becca dared Tim to ask the car rental attendant where the AH-LAH-MO was with a straight face. He did, and the belly laugh I engaged in was spirit-lifting. It struck untapped inhibitions of happiness that I haven’t experienced in 19 years. Needless to say, he had never heard of the AH-LAH-MO, but when Gwen corrected the pronunciation, he managed to give us directions to the Alamo.

We ate on the San Antonio River Walk at a wonderful Mexican restaurant where a mariachi band played for us and we all were able to continue to laugh and enjoy ourselves — something that we continued to do the whole trip.

Once we arrived in San Marcos, I was able to shop for an hour BY MYSELF. Wow! No one was telling me that I’m taking too long or rushing me. Man, when it hit me, I was really relaxing. No calls, no worries, just enjoying the “now” and focusing on the reason I was there: I’m alive. Magdalene and Thistle Farms saved my life. So much gratitude overwhelmed me when I was able to share some of that gratitude with others.

We ate at Pastor Ben’s house. The Bishops and their wives joined us. It was a wonderful, intimate dinner with strangers who I felt like I’d known forever. We all laughed, told stories and I bonded with their six year-old little girl. I helped her take her medicine she loathed to take. I felt like she was my own child; the bond was so intense.

My heart and soul were filled each stop of the trip with pure joy and real happiness. I felt complete. All outside distractions were far, far away. The here and now were all I had to focus on. I was surrounded by people who have the purest of hearts and warmest of souls. I felt a peace I didn’t know existed.

At the booth, I was able to sell products with Gwen and really spread the word and mission of Magdalene and Thistle Farms. I am so passionate about the program and Thistle Farms and I feel so strongly about the power of love and how it heals. I’ve been to 13 treatment centers and hospitals. Magdalene and Thistle Farms support me no matter what. I’m deeply enriched by the quality of the program. This program is different than any other.

When Becca shared my Facebook post in front of hundreds of people, I was shocked at first, but then I was blown away by the honor of being a part of her speech. Becca heard my gratitude and wanted to share it. I can say that this was one of the biggest moments (the whole trip was!) since I’ve been at Magdalene. We ended up selling all of our products and it was the perfect ending to our trip.

Words cannot describe the emotions of gratitude that filled my spirit. I know God has a plan for me and today I’m willing and excited to see what it is. Thank you Magdalene and Thistle Farms for allowing me to be a part of a life changing movement.